Pakistani troops breach ceasefire thrice, child injured

Pakistan troops yet again violated the bilateral ceasefire on the Line of Control on Saturday evening in the Balakote sector of Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, according to a defence spokesman.

A child injured was injured in the firing, according to PTI.

“There was ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Balakote sector on Saturday evening. The Pakistani army fired small arms and automatics,” the spokesman said. “There was also effective retaliation by our troops,” he added.

The spokesman said that Pakistan troops used heavy calibre weapons late on Saturday evening.

Early Saturday, Pakistan troops had also violated the ceasefire. The first incident occurred around 7 am when Pakistani troops fired at forward posts in Poonch sector. The firing was carried out with small and automatic weapons, defence spokesperson Colonel RK Palta said, adding, no casualty was reported.

Indian troops guarding the border line retaliated strongly, triggering exchanges which continued till 7:40 am, he said.

In the second breach, Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian posts along the LoC in Balakote, the spokesman said. "There was firing from Pakistani troops with small and automatic weapons at forward posts along LoC around 8.10 pm.," he said, adding the Indian side retaliated effectively.

Pakistani troops have been daily resorting to ceasefire violations since August 6 when its special forces killed five Indian soldiers in Poonch. There have been over 80 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops this year from January 1.

Defence Minister A K Antony had recently stated that the army has been given a free hand to retaliate to deal with violations on the LoC. Army Chief General Bikram Singh has also asked his commanders to be aggressive in case of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army.